Transcutaneous stimulation method and system

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments relate to a method of treating a waste evacuation dysfunction, comprising administering transcutaneous electrical stimulation to at least one lumbar or abdominal region for at least one treatment period per day over a treatment term of at least one week.

FIELD

Described embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for transcutaneous stimulation. More particularly, methods and systems for transcutaneous stimulation in the lumbar and/or abdominal region are provided to treat one or more dysfunctions associated with a body's ability to evacuate waste. A device for transcutaneous stimulation is also contemplated herein.

BACKGROUND

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any country.

Reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Bibliographic details of the publications referred to by author in this specification are collected alphabetically at the end of the description.

Waste elimination dysfunction can take many forms. For example, urinary incontinence, intestinal incontinence or constipation can occur.

Treatment systems exist for treating constipation by providing electrical stimulus via subcutaneously implanted electrodes positioned around the lower bowel. Electrical stimulation provided using such electrodes can be used to sequentially activate muscle fibres around the bowel to force a peristaltic action to occur. However, such treatment systems are undesirably invasive. Further, while such systems may have an immediate effect in assisting to evacuate the bowel, they do not necessarily address the cause of the constipation. Importantly, this effect has not been described as long lasting or having an effect beyond the immediate time of electrical stimulation.

Intractable constipation and soiling are extremely common in the community, in both the young and old, and available treatments are generally uncomfortable, can cause social distress for sufferers and are a significant drain on the health care system. Individuals that suffer from constipation and soiling who are young or old may also have psychological issues. In addition, constipation may be a side effect of some kinds of medication, such as opiates. Most laxative therapies are designed to either soften the stool or stimulate the bowel by chemicals in the lumen. Patients with chronic constipation or intractable constipation may have failed other treatment methods including pharmaceutical treatment. Patients on therapies for other diseases in which constipation is a side effect of the medication may not be able to be co-administered pharmaceutical treatments for constipation. Non-invasive, non-drug-based treatment methodologies may be desired in such cases.

Sometimes constipation may be unrelated to diet or medications, and can be due to poor motility in the whole colon (Benninga et al, J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr., 23:241-51, 1996; Hutson et al, J Pediatr Surg., 31:580-583, 1996). A newly identified disorder, which is known as slow-transit constipation (STC), is not uncommon amongst children who fail standard medical therapy, and such children often have signs of colonic dysfunction even at birth. (Shin et al, J Pediatr Surg., 37:1762-1765, 2002).

Previous electrical stimulation involved non-daily stimulation (i.e. 12 sessions in 4 week period) of short periods (i.e. 20 min of treatment) using transcutaneous devices that have been developed for physiotherapy treatment of muscular injuries (Clarke et al, J. Pediatr. Surg., 44:408-412, 2009.)

It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more disadvantages or shortcomings associated with existing treatment systems, methods or regimes, or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

SUMMARY

Non-invasive electrical stimulation devices, methods and system are described herein to be used specifically for the treatment of constipation and improved treatment regimens. This treatment may have long term benefits in some patients with continued improvement after the period of treatment by the non-invasive electrical stimulation.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The present invention relates generally to treatment regimes for transcutaneous stimulation. More particularly, methods and systems are provided for treating constipation or another waste evacuation dysfunction by the administration of transcutaneous electrical stimulation to at least one lumbar or abdominal region for a period of time on a daily basis or greater than 12 sessions in a 4 week period. Reference to “greater than 12 sessions” includes from about 12 to about 100 sessions such as about 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100 sessions, for example, or even more.

In some embodiment the treatment may involve a single treatment session each day or multiple (e.g. 2 or 3) treatment sessions per day. The treatment sessions may be for periods of between about 10 and about 90 minutes or from about 20 and about 60 minutes. Other time periods include about 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88 and 89 minutes, for example.

In some embodiments, the daily (or greater than 12 sessions in a 4 week period) electrical stimulation regime may be performed as part of a longer-term treatment plan, in which the stimulation is performed daily or greater than 12 sessions in a 4 week period for between about 2 weeks and 2 to 3 months. This includes periods of about 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 weeks, for example. The regime may also involve repeating the longer-term treatment within periods of about 4 months to two years. Such longer-term periods include about 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 months, for example. The transcutaneous electrical treatment may provide a longer term effect of greater than 1 day to 1 month to 1 year. Hence, the effect of treatment lasts beyond the immediate time of electrical stimulation.

In some embodiments, where daily treatment (or greater than 12 treatment sessions in a 4 week period) is anticipated, for ease of administration, the treatment device is such that it can be used at home without the supervision of a trained professional during the daily (or greater than 12 sessions in a 4 week period) treatment regimen.

The stimulation may be performed using one to ten electrodes, for example, placed on the lumbar and/or lower front abdominal areas. Alternatively, one, three, five or more electrodes may be employed. In particular embodiments, an even number of electrodes are employed in a spaced pair arrangement. In some embodiments, the one to ten or more electrodes may be fixed in an apparatus such as a belt. The fixed positioning of the electrodes in a device such as a belt may aid in the positioning of the electrodes to the lumbar and/or lower front abdominal areas and the spacing of the electrodes. The electrodes used to provide the electrical stimulation may be provided on a carrier that can be removably affixed, for example by adhesion, to a desired skin surface area to facilitate appropriate spacing of the electrodes from each other.

The electrodes may be coupled to and receive a stimulation current from a stimulation device having a low voltage, low current power source. The stimulation device may comprise a handheld portable device, for example, that can be operated without needing to be coupled to an external power supply. The stimulation device may be configured to be powered by a disposable and/or rechargeable battery or other small self-contained power source, for example. The power source of the stimulation device may be rechargeable, for example by coupling it via a transformer to a mains power supply. The stimulation device may be configured to prevent or minimise the current supply to the electrodes while the stimulation device is having its portable power source recharged.

The stimulation device may provide or consist of a primitive display, for example to indicate its on/off state, whether it is in use (i.e. providing stimulation signals), a display of an accrued time of use and/or a remaining time for use in a particular session. The stimulation device may also be configured to prevent electrical stimulation being provided for more than a predetermined total amount of time for a day or 24 hour period or for more than a predetermined amount of time (e.g. 60, 70, 80 or 90 minutes) in any one usage session. Alternatively or in addition, the device may be configured to restrict the total amount of electrical energy delivered to the stimulation electrodes over a usage session or a particular period of time.

The stimulation device may be free of external manually operable mechanisms but for an on/off button or switch and a stop/start button or switch. In some alternative embodiments, the stimulation device may have external manually operable mechanisms, for example to interface with a device display, but may be free of any manually operable mechanisms to provide input to the stimulation device that would alter device settings or parameters according to which the electrical stimulation signals are provided.

In some embodiments, the stimulation device is configured to only operate according to a single set of operating parameters at a given time. This single set of operating parameters may only be replaced with another single set of operating parameters using an electronic configuration interface separate from but communicably coupleable to the stimulation device. For example, the stimulation device may be provided with a default set of operating parameters by a manufacturer of the device, and this set of parameters may be subsequently modified by a therapist using software authorized to reconfigure the settings of the stimulation device via a wired or wireless connection. Thus, the user interface of the stimulation device may be configured to be quite simple and to disallow user modification of the settings, in order to facilitate ease and appropriateness of use of the device. However, in alternative embodiments, the stimulation device may have greater user interface functionality and may allow for one of two, three, four or more stimulation settings to be selected by a user.

In some embodiments, the stimulation device may be pre-configured or configurable to provide output signals to stimulation electrodes having an approximately sinusoidal form, with an approximately 4 kilohertz carrier frequency, roughly 80 to 150 hertz modulated frequency and a current intensity of around 5 to around 33 milliamps. Such stimulation signals may be applied to two or four or more electrodes, for example including two electrodes spaced across the lower front abdominal area and two electrodes spaced across the lumbar area, applying interferential current stimulation from left front to right back and/or right front to left back.

In some embodiments, the stimulation frequency may be selected or configured to take account of the Body Mass Index (BMI) of the patient, which can be different for a child versus an adult, and also whether the patient is of normal weight, overweight, obese or underweight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described in further detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating use of electrical stimulation to treat intestinal dysfunction in a child;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating use of electrical stimulation to treat intestinal dysfunction in an adult;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are schematic diagrams of an example stimulation device in different views;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the stimulation device;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of software controls applicable to use of the stimulation device;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system for configuration of the stimulation device; and

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation showing:

-   -   A) Total number of defecations/week,     -   B) Number of days with soiling, and     -   C) Number of days with abdominal pain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments herein relate generally to methods, systems, devices and treatment regimes for treating or enabling the treatment of a waste elimination dysfunction, such as, for example and without limitation, constipation, ileus, urinary incontinence or intestinal incontinence. Such embodiments generally involve the application of electrical stimulation to a front or back (lumbar) abdominal region for at least one treatment session per day over consecutive days of a treatment period of at least one week. The treatment session may be performed multiple times per day or just once and may be performed for a time between about 10 and about 90 minutes for each session. In some embodiments, the treatment session may be between about 20 minutes and about 60 minutes, preferably closer to 60 minutes, such as 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 65 or 70 minutes or other times in between.

In some embodiments, daily treatments are anticipated of greater than 12 sessions in a 4 week period (i.e. three sessions per week). For ease of administration, the treatment device is such that it can be used at home without the supervision of a trained healthcare professional during the daily (or greater than 3 sessions a week) treatment regimen.

The treatment term of at least one week may be, for example, between about 2 weeks and about 3 months. In some embodiments, the treatment term may be between about 1 month and about 2 months.

The treatment term may be repeated over an extended term of from about 4 months to 2 years, in order to have the treatment suitably program, teach or train the various muscles or nerves responsible for proper function of the affected organs or tissues. Thus, the treatment period may be repeated multiple times over the longer term, with the degree of repetition depending on physiological response to one or more initial treatment terms.

The treatment may have an effect beyond the immediate time of electrical stimulation which may last 1 day, to 1 week, to 1 month to one year beyond the last time of electrical stimulation.

Generally, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in relation to a child 10 or adult 60, the electrical stimulation may be provided to electrodes 30 positioned over a front abdomen region 12 (on either side of the umbilicus) and/or on a back (lumbar) abdominal region 14. The electrodes 30 receive electrical stimulation signals via conductors 32 to which they are coupled and convey these to the skin surface of the child 10 or adult 60 to which they are affixed or otherwise conductively positioned against. A suitable conductive gel may be used to increase conductivity of the electrical signals from electrodes 30 into the body via the skin.

In some embodiments, four surface electrodes 30 may be used, two electrodes 30 being positioned one to either side of the umbilicus on the anterior abdominal wall beneath the costal margin, and two electrodes 30 being positioned on the para-spinal area of T9-10 to L2. Positioning of the electrodes 30, whether four or more than four electrodes 30 are used, is intended to stimulate the proximal colon (including at least part of the ascending colon and the transverse colon) and at least an upper part of the descending colon, which generally correlates to the abdominal vicinity of the umbilicus. Positioning of the electrodes 30 is not made to particularly affect the sigmoid colon or distal parts of the descending colon or rectum. Thus, although the positioning of the electrodes 30 is applied to provide stimulation to parts of the large bowel closer to the costal margin, not all of the large bowel is to be stimulated in this way.

Lateral spacing of the electrode positions from the umbilicus may be in the vicinity of 8 to 20 cm, for example, thereby providing a lateral separation between the electrodes 30 of about 15 to 40 cm. The electrodes 30 may be positioned approximately level with the umbilicus, although some small variation of locations, for example slightly closer to or further from the costal margin, may be employed. The electrodes 30 positioned in the para-spinal area should be located substantially directly across the abdomen from the frontal electrodes 30.

Electrodes 30 may be provided on a carrier 20 that comprises a flexible substrate conveniently positioning the electrodes 30 a fixed distance apart from each other to assist in proper positioning of the electrodes in one or more regions 12, 14. The flexible substrate 20 may comprise adhesive substances on one or more portions thereof in order to facilitate removable application of electrodes 30 to the skin and retention of the electrodes 30 in a specific selected location. Each carrier 20 may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more electrodes 30 in specific spaced relation. Once the electrodes 30 are appropriately positioned, either with or without the aid of a carrier 20, electrode conductor leads 32 are used to couple the conductors 30 to respective channels 139 a, 139 b (FIG. 4) of a stimulation device 100.

A stimulation device 100 and its components and features are described in further detail below, with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4. FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view of the device 100. FIG. 3B is one end view of the device 100. FIG. 3C is an opposed end view of the device 100. FIG. 3D is a schematic perspective view of the device 100. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the device 100, showing components and circuitry housed within a casing 105 of device 100. Stimulation device 100 is designed to be simple, portable and light, so that it can be worn by a user, possibly within a carrier belt, while it provides the stimulation signals to the electrodes 30 as the user performs normal activities.

The portable stimulator device 100 is designed to provide therapeutic electrical stimulation for individuals suffering dysfunction. Device 100 delivers a specified electrical signal to the patient through a set of electrodes that are placed on the skin surface of the abdomen. The device is designed to be as simple as possible, so that those with relatively low technological sophistication, including some children and the elderly, may operate the device without clinical supervision (e.g. at home) and with minimal complication. It has been found that devices employing too much user interface sophistication are liable to be misused, with the result being that the patient may experience pain from improper treatment or may not receive the intended therapeutic benefit of the treatment. Preferred embodiments of device 100 thus provide a simplified on/off type of user interface, leaving any selection or reconfiguration of stimulation settings to be performed by a trained clinician or therapist using external software.

Device 100 may be provided with an accompanying software package for use by a patient or the patient's carer on a separate computer system 605 (FIG. 6) to facilitate user education and instruction. Additionally, separate software may be provided for use by a clinician to allow the clinician to set or modify settings or functions of device 100 to further benefit patients.

The device 100 is configured to allow its internal software (firmware) to be easily updated. Should more effective treatment settings be determined, the device 100 can be updated through a firmware update so that patients can have access to different treatment regimes or settings.

The device 100 is small enough for a small child to carry, and variations of the design may feature child-friendly shapes and colours through changeable faceplates and covers, and also larger, Braille-studded or other tactile buttons and/or displays for vision-impaired or geriatric users.

Measures to provide device safety may include short-circuit protections, isolated charging circuits to prevent mains power being delivered to a user in the event of device malfunction and conditional operation failsafe mechanisms (i.e. the device cannot be operated if electrodes 30 and/or electrode leads 32 are not connected or not correctly connected).

The device 100 may feature one or more of:

1. Two independent electrical channels 139 a, 139 b, each of which is capable of providing a specified current, voltage and waveform characteristic via electrode leads 32 to electrodes 30.

2. A display 120 including a liquid crystal display (LCD) and/or an LED-based display or other form of display, responsive to signals received at display circuitry 138 from microprocessor 130 to display some or all of the following information:

-   -   a. ON/OFF status of the device 100.     -   b. The remaining battery life of the device 100.     -   c. START/STOP status of the electrical stimulation.     -   d. A timer to indicate elapsed and/or remaining time of         stimulation for a treatment session.

3. An ON/OFF switch or button 122 to turn on or off the device 100.

4. A START/STOP switch or button 124 to turn on or off the electrical stimulation signals.

Device 100 may comprise various communication and power supply inputs, including (but not limited to):

-   -   a. Stimulator electrode sockets 112—these allow the electrode         leads and wires to plug into the device. As a failsafe, the         device 100 may be configured to not be operable unless the         electrode leads and electrodes are correctly attached and         connected.     -   b. DC power supply socket 114 to supply the device and internal         battery 142 with power. The power may be converted from mains         power (110V/240V 60/50 Hz) to a suitable DC voltage via a         switched-mode power supply (SMPS) or other suitable electrical         power converter.     -   c. A computer interface port 116 (Universal Serial Bus, or other         industry standard computer interface, wired or wireless) to         allow authorized users to add, modify or change the function of         the device, based on the level of authority.     -   d. A reset button (not shown) that cannot be easily accessed,         but be accessible, for example through battery compartment 140,         should a device reset be required.     -   e. An in-built speaker (not shown) to provide audible messages,         beeps, alerts or other signals to vision-impaired users and         younger users.

Device 100 may comprise a rigid casing 105 to house the electronics (e.g. on PCB 108) and comprising environmental sealing to industry standards (i.e. rubber gaskets on exposed connectors, rubber sealing within the device to stop liquids and other foreign material from breaching the device casing).

The physical size or external appearance of the device 100 may vary depending on the target market. It may:

-   -   a. Be small enough to fit in a small bag that a child can easily         carry, may feature various case styles and designs to give it a         child-friendly appearance, and make it more appealing to young         users.     -   b. Be large enough to be handled by geriatric users, and         feature:         -   i. Extra-large LCD with larger symbols.         -   ii. Larger buttons for easier operation.         -   iii. Braille embedded on various parts of the device and             tactile buttons to allow users with poor vision to operate             it.     -   c. Feature an exterior casing/faceplate that may be changeable         to modify the physical appearance of the device so that the user         may customise the “look” of the device to taste (i.e. a case         that looks like a rabbit for young children, a case that looks         like a car for a 10-yr old male user, a doll for a 6-yr old         female user). This case is completely separate from the internal         case 105 that houses the device's electronics.

The device 100 may comprise a battery compartment 140 defined by casing 105 and housing a (optionally rechargeable) battery 142 that can be coupled to an external power supply via socket 114. Battery 142 supplies a DC voltage, such as 9V, to power supply circuitry 134, which supplies power to the various electrical/electronic components of device 100.

The device 100 comprises a combination of programmable and non-programmable circuitry, digital or analog, embedded onto or coupled to at least one printed circuit board (PCB) 108. The circuitry includes, but is not limited to:

1. Signal generator circuitry 136 to produce the electrical waveforms provided to channels 139 a, 139 b. As a failsafe, signal generator circuitry 136 may be current-limited to prevent oversupply of current.

2. An on-board microprocessor system 130, which may comprise a suitable microcontroller, an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and/or Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The microprocessor system 130 has access to sufficient Read-Only Memory (ROM) 131 and Random-Access Memory (RAM) 132 to facilitate device operation, communication between external devices, firmware update functions and service/maintenance functions. Device 100 operates according to control software (firmware) pre-programmed into the ROM 132 to facilitate operation and control of the device.

3. On-board load-testing circuitry (as part of, or controlled by and responsive to, microprocessor 130) to check that electrodes are connected to an electrical load that is representative of human tissue.

4. In-built safety features to prevent or minimise unintended current being delivered to the patient. This may include (but not be limited to):

-   -   a. Charging circuit isolation via power supply circuitry 134 to         prevent provision of electrical stimulation during battery         charge operation.     -   b. Failsafe measures provided by the load-testing circuitry to         prevent the operation of the device when electrodes are not         connected to electrode leads, when electrode leads are not         connected to the device, or when electrodes are incorrectly         attached to the device.     -   c. Short-circuit protections to prevent delivery of unintended         current to the patient.

The device software (firmware) and separate computer software (to be executed by computer system 605) may feature three modes of access by which three different classes of users can interact with it. These modes are described below and schematically illustrated in FIG. 5.

Patient Mode: The user may operate the device for therapeutic purposes, but may not modify, change or delete device functions when interacting with the physical device. An exception to this is that the user may change device function only with an authorized software (firmware) update provided by the manufacturer. This update should be sufficiently tamper-proof to prevent user errors and device corruption.

The user may operate the personal computer software to access informational or help files to learn how to operate the device 100, but may not modify, change or delete device functions when interacting with the device 100 through the personal computer interface. This user-proposed software may be provided when the device is purchased, either as a software CD or electronic download from the manufacturer.

Clinician Mode: The clinician user may alter the device's function (in a restricted manner), for example to select different stimulation settings for device 100 to improve the therapeutic benefit of the device 100 to the patient by interacting only with the clinician-user interface module executing on computer system 605. This may include authorized firmware updates as listed in the section relating to Patient Mode.

Personal Computer software for use by the clinician may not be supplied with the device, but instead may only be obtained once a clinician has registered with the manufacturer and been certified to make limited function modifications to the device for therapeutic benefits only.

Technician/Service Mode: An authorized repair agent or manufacturer technician/engineer may access the core program of the device in order to facilitate diagnostics and repair functions. This mode allows for full/authorized modification to device function.

The software/firmware is split into two separate code modules that interact with each other:

1. Software programmed into the device 100 (firmware):

-   -   a. The firmware may be programmed into the device at time of         manufacture. The firmware has all three levels of functionality         pre-programmed, but specific functions may only be accessed by         licence holders or authorized persons as specified above.

2. Software programmed for use on the computer 605:

-   -   a. The software may only interact with its authorized level, and         any levels that it is authorized to interact with. For example,         the Patient Mode on the device may only interact with the         Patient Mode on the computer software, and the Technician Mode         may interact with both the Patient Mode and Clinician Mode.     -   b. The software on the computer 605 facilitates the firmware         update in an automated fashion to minimise complications in the         upgrade process.

This will also provided security verification so that the device cannot be tampered with through this access method.

Software and firmware updates may be provided from time to time by the manufacturer as required.

The device is intended to be operated in the following manner:

-   -   The user attaches the electrode carrier 20 and electrode pads 30         (or just the electrode pads 30 if they're not provided on a         carrier 20) to the lower front abdomen and lower back as shown         in FIGS. 1 (child) and 2 (adult).

The electrode leads 32 are connected to all of the electrode pads 30, and then to the correct sockets 112 on the device 100.

The user then switches on the device 100 using button 122, in response to which the device 100 performs a back-end function check to ensure that all systems are normal and that electrodes 30 and electrode leads 32 are connected correctly. During this time, the LCD 120 may display a short message to the user that the device is starting up.

Once the device 100 is ready, the LCD 120 may indicate a message or signal (e.g. green LED lights up) to inform the user that stimulation is ready to start. A backlight of the START/STOP button 124 may light up and flash, and the user can then press button 124 to commence stimulation.

During current delivery, a counter or timer function executed by microprocessor 130 may cause display circuitry 138 coupled to display 120 to indicate the remaining stimulation time. Should the user wish to terminate current delivery, the user presses the START/STOP button 124. Pressing the ON/OFF button 122 in the ON state will also terminate current delivery and switch the device 100 off.

Once current delivery has ceased, the device 100 may indicate on the LCD 120 that stimulation for the current treatment session is complete. Should the user not press the ON/OFF button 122, the device 100 may be configured to automatically switch itself off after a manufacturer-specified time to prevent accidental operation and minimise battery consumption. The microprocessor system 130 may control device 100 to disallow further administration of stimulation for a period of several (e.g. up to 24) hours, regardless of whether device 100 is turned off. For this purpose, microprocessor 130 may comprise a suitable timer function (with possibly a long-term back-up power supply) that cannot be disrupted, even with the device 100 being switched off or the battery 142 being removed or drained.

Device 100 may, in alternative embodiments, comprise greater user interface functionality than is described above, for example in order to enable a user to select from a number of stimulation settings, including carrier frequency, modulated frequency, current intensity, duration of the treatment session, etc. However, regardless of the user interface functionality of device 100, it should be operable to provide a stimulation current of magnitude less than about 40 mA at a carrier frequency of between about 1 and 10 kHz, with a modulated frequency of about 20 to about 300 Hz. Preferably, the device 100 is configured to provide stimulation currents having a magnitude of 33 mA (but more than zero) or less at a carrier frequency of about 4 kHz, with a modulated frequency of about 80 Hz to 150 Hz. The electrical stimulation may be provided as interferential electrical stimulation, for example from left front to right back and/or right front to left back.

In some embodiments, because the electric current is delivered transcutaneously to the individual, the amount of electrical stimulation to be delivered to an individual may vary from individual to individual based on either Body Mass Index (BMI) and/or circumference at waist and/or weight. For example, the optimal energy for electrical stimulation required for a normal weight child would be less than for an obese child. An algorithm for determining the electrical stimulation energy required, for example based on age, BMI, weight, or circumference around the waist, may be included in the device firmware, together with operating parameters to allow specific electrical stimulation parameters to be initially set by the treating clinician or other medically trained professional.

One specific dysfunction that the described embodiments are considered suitable for treating is slow transit constipation (STC). However, described embodiments may be applied to treat various other waste evacuation dysfunctions, such as other types of constipation, incontinence and ileus, for example.

In some embodiments, stimulation device 100 may be coupled to computer system 605, as shown in FIG. 6. In the illustrated arrangement, computer system 605 and stimulation device 100 form part of a system 100 for facilitating configuration of device 100 and/or facilitating communication between stimulation device 100 and computer system 605 or a network 630 to which computer system 605 is coupled. Computer system 605 may comprise a desktop, laptop or handheld computing device having a processor 610, memory 615 and user interface 620. Processor 610 may comprise more than one processing device and has access to memory 615 which comprises volatile and non-volatile storage for executing software functions as described herein. User interface 620 comprises normal peripheral devices for facilitating user interaction with computer system 605 and may include suitable display-related software in addition to the normal display screen, keyboard, mouse, touch screen and/or stylus, etc.

Computer system 605 comprises an input/output port 655 for communicating via a wired or wireless connection 660 with port 116 of stimulation device 100, thus enabling processor 610 to reconfigure (to the extent permitted) or otherwise interface with stimulation device 100. Computer system 605 may be a computer system used by a patient to interface with stimulation device 100, for example in order to communicate with (or even power up using USB power, for example) stimulation device 100.

Alternatively, computer system 605 may be a computing device used by a clinician, such as a specialist therapist, to select one or a few configuration settings from among multiple possible selections to be used to configure or reconfigure the stimulation settings of device 100. The software operable on system 605 in order to effect such reconfiguration of device 100 may be stored in memory 615 and executable by processor 610. Such software may be downloaded from a remote location over network 630 in response to suitable accreditation or authentication of the clinician for use of such reconfiguration software.

As a further alternative, computer system 605 may be a computer used by a technician or manufacturer to interface with device 100 as needed, for example in order to provide initial or default stimulation settings.

Modifications of the described embodiments may be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. The described embodiments are therefore intended to be exemplary and non-limiting when considered in the context of the appended claims.

Studies involving some described embodiments are described by the following non-limiting Examples.

Example 1 Daily Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation Increases Defecation in Children with Slow-Transit Constipation

Patient Groups

Halfway through a randomized control trial (Clark et al, 2009 supra) (RCT) testing transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES), battery-operated machines became available, thus allowing home-based stimulation by parents. Eleven children (6M/5F, mean 14 yr, range 12-18 yrs) with slow-transit constipation who completed the RCT study, but relapsed or without an increase in defecation, were offered the opportunity to try the machine by a pediatrician (11±5 months after TES trial). These children all had chronic constipation and soiling for a minimum of two years prior to the RCT and had failed to respond significantly to the TES in the trial, as well as medical treatments such as dietary modifications, oral and rectal laxatives.

All eleven children had undergone a radio-nuclear transit study to show slow-transit in the transverse colon. However, one child was found to have normal colonic transit and because of that he was excluded from the TES Trial. He still had the TES treatment but did not have any improvement, so he was included in this study. Another child had more severe symptoms requiring an appendix stoma and his constipation and soiling was managed with antegrade washouts every 2-3 days (King et al, J. Pediatr. Surg., 40:1935-1940, 2005).

Stimulation Regime

Parents of the children were trained to use the battery-operated interferential stimulating machine (EPM IF 4160, Fuji Dynamics, Hong Kong) by the trial physiotherapist. Stimulation was performed and monitored by the parents at home (1 hour daily for a minimum of 2 months). Interferential treatments delivered a 4 kHz carrier frequency, a beat frequency of 80-150 Hz with an intensity of <33 mAmp. Two adhesive 3 cm² electrodes were placed on the anterior abdominal wall below the costal margin of the children and two other electrodes placed on the posterior abdominal wall between T9 and L2 on either side. The current from the electrodes was crossed diagonally from front to back to ensure that the stimulated current from each electrode crossed over within the abdomen of the child.

Outcome Measures

The number of spontaneous and “sit” defecations, number of antegrade enema washouts or medication and number of incidents of soiling were recorded daily in a specially designed continence dairy. The daily dairy was kept one month prior and for two months during electrical stimulation. The (a) frequency of defecation, (b) frequency of soiling and (c) frequency of episodes of abdominal pain per month were compared using ANOVA with post-test analysis and paired t-tests (two tailed). P values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation showing:

-   -   A) Total number of defecations/week,     -   B) Number of days with soiling, and     -   C) Number of days with abdominal pain.

Daily diaries were assessed for 1 month before stimulation (Pre Rx), and during the first month (Rx 1) and second month (Rx 2) of stimulation performed daily at home. Statistically analysis by paired t-test.

There were no adverse events or complaints of discomfort reported from the children. All patients tolerated home stimulation well.

a) Defecation

From Table 1, defecation increased in nine out of eleven children. There was a significant increase (p=0.008) in total defecation per week (mean±SD, 2.5±2.1 vs 6.7±4.4) (FIG. 7A). Five of the eleven patients had less than three defecations/week in the baseline period and all of them had normal episodes of defecation (>3/week) during stimulation. Six children had an increase in spontaneous defecation (Table 1) and three experienced increase in defecation during trained sits on the toilet. One child had no increase in total defecation but there was a marked increase in spontaneous defecation i.e. changes from timed sits to spontaneous defecation (urge to defecate followed by the child performing controlled defecation in the toilet).

b) Soiling

There was a qualitative decrease in four out of eleven children, however this was not statistically significant (3.8±1.6 vs 1.1±0.5 episodes/week) (p=0.1) (FIG. 7B). In the baseline period, soiling was frequent in 3/11 children (Table 1). This was reduced to low episodes during stimulation in all of the three children. The patient with an appendix stoma had his soiling managed by antegrade enemes and therefore recorded no soiling.

c) Pain

Daily stimulation did not affect abdominal pain (0.97±1.8 vs 1.03±2.0 episodes/week, p=0.7) (FIG. 7C).

This study found that the use of a battery-operated, portable machine was safe to deliver interferential TES in the home environment. Moreover, daily stimulation of one hour per session for ≥1 month caused a significant increase in total episodes of defecation/week, with no adverse effects. Importantly, this improvement in bowel function occurred in patients who had had only marginal or temporary improvement following stimulation three times per week in our recently conducted randomized controlled trial (Clark et al, J. Pediatr. Surg., 43:320-324, 2008).

In the formal trial, the TES was given for 20 minutes in each treatment session, three times per week, so that the total duration of therapy was one hour per week. When the trial was designed, the optimal parameters (if any) were unknown, and hence were selected on arbitrary criteria. Having demonstrated a statistical improvement in transit times (Clark et al, 2009 supra), 24-hour colonic manometry (King et al, Am. J. Gastroenterol., 103:2083-2091, 2008), and quality of life (Clark et al, 2008 supra) in the trial, the current study aimed to find out whether more frequent TES treatment might further improve function.

Daily TES at home enabled the children in this pilot study to receive 7 hours of treatment per week (compared to 1 hour per week in the formal trial), which improved their overall bowel function in frequency of defecation. Interestingly, this was one of the few parameters which was not improved in the randomized placebo-controlled trial, despite increased colonic transit and peristaltic activity. The reason for this difference is unknown but it may be that TES three times per week caused increased proximal colonic transit, but without altering rectal evacuation. The children then needed to learn how to defecate normally to take advantage of this increased proximal colonic contractility. In this pilot study, improved defecation may have occurred because more time had passed since the trial and the patients were better able to learn how to empty their colon under conscious control. Another possibility is that the increased time length and frequency of treatment from 1 hour to 7 hours per week provided a much more substantial stimulus to colonic function, enabling not only more rapid proximal transit but also more effective evacuation.

There was concern that the electrical stimulation might increase soiling but this did not occur. Daily stimulation showed a qualitative reduction in frequency of soiling but this was not statistically significant. Although more patients need to be tested, it is considered that this qualitative improvement is likely to be important. The frequency of abdominal pains, assumed to be caused by colonic peristalsis, was also measured and this is unchanged by the daily TES.

TES has only been tested in very limited studies in children outside the controlled trial described herein, so its place in the armamentarium of constipation therapies is unknown. The initial pilot study with TES used sophisticated machines connected to the power grid and operated by a licensed physiotherapist (Chase et al, J Gastroenterol. Hepatol., 20:1054-1061, 2005). This study extends that and shows that a simpler machine with a 9-volt rechargeable battery is adequate to provide the requisite electrical stimulation, and may even provide superior effects on the bowel.

The RCT showed that TES is significantly more effective than a placebo. Hence, an increased duration and frequency of TES treatment times is an advantage.

In the cohort of children being treated for slow transit constipation by transcutaneous electrical stimulation using the battery-operated interferential stimulating device (EPM IF 4160, Fuji Dynamics, Hong Kong), it was found during patient follow-up that there were a few treatment efficacy problems arising from misuse or improper use of the device. The Fuji Dynamics device has a relatively large number of buttons to push and many stimulation settings and options to choose from.

In one case, the parent was confused by which buttons to push to get the proper settings for the treatment (needing 6 buttons to be pushed). This parent was also illiterate and the written instructions for use were essentially useless, leading to a hands-on demonstration of use of the device being needed in order to make sure the parent was getting the stimulation settings right. It was also found that the patient or the parent would commonly forget to set the buttons to achieve the essential settings for treatment. In one instance, a patient had gone through the treatment period without setting the stimulation frequency, resulting in inadequate stimulation being applied and the patient not experiencing any improvement in symptoms.

In younger children, it has been found that they tend to play with the buttons of the device. The Fuji Dynamics device used in the trial did not have any locking features to prevent inappropriate user modification of the device settings. One child experienced shooting pain in both legs after changing the stimulation settings on the device.

Example 2 TES Treatment Long Term Benefits

In a follow-up study of patients that have previously been enrolled in a TES trial it was noted that there was continued improvement in patients after the time of usage of TES.

There are total of 105 patients which have been included into the transcutaneous electrical stimulation (interferential) therapy (Table 2). They comprise of 66 male patients and 39 female patients. The age ranges of these patients are 6-18 years, with the mean age of 11.5 years. All these patients have been selected for the treatment after being diagnosed with slow transit constipation using nuclear transit study. There are different phases of development of the transcutaneous electrical stimulation, from TIC TOC to TENS trial and the current home stimulation therapy. All patients were required to fill up the continence diaries and PedsQL questionnaires appropriate to age upon enrolment into the trial and as the scheme for follow-up during and after treatment.

In the TIC TOC trial, at 6 months follow-up, out of the 39 patients with data analysed at the completion of the trial, 20 patients responded to the questionnaires survey. Sixteen out of 20 patients have ≥3 episodes of defecations per week at 6 months after treatment. At 12 months follow-up, 13 responded to the questionnaire survey. Eleven out of 13 patients have ≥3 episodes of defecations per week. As for soiling, at 6 months follow-up, 14 out of 23 respondents have no soiling. At 12 months follow-up, 6 out of 11 respondents have no soiling. There was overall improvement in patients with slow-transit constipation treated by transcutaneous interferential therapy.

In the latest home stimulation therapy, one patient has complete resolution of abdominal pain, twofold increase in defecation, and 3.7-fold improvement of soiling at one month follow-up.

The described stimulation regimes have been used without also directly stimulating the pelvic floor or area around the perineum or perianum.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.

TABLE 1 Defecation/ Days with soiling/ Appendix Transit week week Days with pain/week Sex Stoma Study Before IFT 1 IFT 2 Change Before IFT 1 IFT 2 Before IFT 1 IFT 2 With slow transit and no appendix stoma F No Slow 0 12 14 ½ sits & spontaneous 0 3 0 0 1 0 F No Slow 0 4 ND ↑ sits 0 1 ND 3 0 ND F No Slow 1 3 ND ↑ spontaneous 6 1 ND 5 5 ND F No Slow 3 11 11 ↑ sits 7 3 3 0 1 1 F No Slow 7 10 12 ↑ spontaneous 2 0 0 0 2 0 M No Slow 1 4 3 ↑ spontaneous 0 0 0 1 3 4 M No Slow 2 6 6 ↑ spontaneous 3 5 3 0 1 1 M No Slow 3 2 4 ↑ spontaneous 0 0 0 0 0 0 M No Slow 4 2 3 ½ sits & spontaneous 4 4 3 0 2 1 With appendix stoma M Yes Slow 3 5 9 ↑ spontaneous 0 0 0 0 0 0 With Normal Transit M No Normal 4 12 ND ↑ sits 7 2 ND 2 0 ND ND: No Data

TABLE 2 Started with 60 patients; 39 patients available for analysis and on follow-up. Follow-up periods of 1 year to 2 years. 21 patients were excluded from study. TIC TOC GENDER NUMBER (N) MALE 21 FEMALE 18 AGE RANGES FROM 7-18 YEARS, MEAN AGE OF 11.8 YEARS (OF THE 39 PATIENTS INCLUDED IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS). GENDER NUMBER (N) MALE 39 FEMALE 21 AGE RANGES FROM 6-18 YEARS, MEAN AGE OF 12.3 YEARS (OF THE 60 PATIENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE STUDY) TENS GENDER NUMBER (N) MALE 5 FEMALE 5 AGE RANGES FROM 5-16 YEARS, MEAN AGE OF 9.3 YEARS. FOLLOW-UP OF PATIENTS FROM 6 MONTHS TO 1 YEAR 1^(ST) HOME STIMULATION THERAPY GENDER NUMBER (N) MALE 6 FEMALE 5 AGE RANGES FROM 9-15 YEARS, MEAN AGE OF 12 YEARS. FOLLOW-UP OF PATIENTS FROM 6 MONTHS TO 1 YEAR. 2^(ND) HOME STIMULATION THERAPY GENDER NUMBER (N) MALE 16 FEMALE 8 AGE RANGES FROM 4-16 YEARS. MEAN AGE OF 10.3 YEARS FOLLOW UP OF PATIENTS FROM 0-5 MONTHS.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

-   Benninga et al, J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr., 23:241-51, 1996 -   Chase et al, J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol., 20:1054-1061, 2005 -   Clark et al, J. Pediatr. Surg., 43:320-324, 2008 -   Clark et al, J. Pediatr. Surg., 44:408-412, 2009 -   Hutson et al, J Pediatr Surg., 31:580-583, 1996 -   King et al, J. Pediatr. Surg., 40:1935-1940, 2005 -   King et al, Am. J. Gastroenterol., 103:2083-2091, 2008 -   Shin et al, J Pediatr Surg., 37:1762-1765, 2002 

1-38. (canceled)
 39. A method of treating constipation, the method comprising: administering transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) to deliver crossing currents between at least one lumbar region and at least one abdominal region of a user, wherein the TES is administered for at least one treatment period per day for a treatment term of at least one week, wherein the crossing currents of the TES produce interferential electrical stimulation between the at least one lumbar region and the at least one abdominal region.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the treatment period is longer than about 10 minutes.
 41. The method of claim 39, wherein the treatment period is longer than about 20 minutes.
 42. The method of claim 39, wherein the stimulation is administered for two or more treatment periods per day.
 43. The method of claim 39, wherein the treatment term is at least two weeks.
 44. The method of claim 39, wherein the treatment term is repeated multiple times over the course of a year.
 45. The method of claim 39, wherein the TES comprises current provided at a carrier frequency of between about 1 kHz and about 10 kHz, with a modulated frequency from about 20 Hz to about 300 Hz.
 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the carrier frequency is about 4 kHz and the modulated frequency is from about 80 Hz to about 150 Hz.
 47. The method of claim 39, wherein administering transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) comprises delivering the current to at least two pairs of electrodes carried by a belt secured to the user.
 48. A method of treating constipation, the method comprising: administering transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) to deliver crossing currents between at least one lumbar region and at least one abdominal region of a user, wherein the TES is administered for more than 12 sessions in a 4 week period, each session lasting at least about 10 minutes, wherein the crossing currents of the TES produce interferential electrical stimulation between the at least one lumbar region and the at least one abdominal region.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein each session is longer than about 20 minutes.
 50. The method of claim 48, wherein the TES is administered for at least one session per day.
 51. The method of claim 48, wherein the TES comprises current provided at a carrier frequency of between about 1 kHz and about 10 kHz, with a modulated frequency from about 20 Hz to about 300 Hz.
 52. The method of claim 49, wherein administering transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) comprises delivering the current to at least two pairs of electrodes carried by a belt secured to the user.
 53. A system for transcutaneously treating constipation, comprising: at least one first pair of electrodes configured to be positioned at a lumbar region of a user; at least one second pair of electrodes configured to be positioned at an abdominal region of the user; and a portable stimulation device configured to administer transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) to deliver crossing currents between at least one lumbar region and at least one abdominal region of a user, wherein the TES is administered for at least one treatment period per day for a treatment term of at least one week, wherein the crossing currents of the TES produce interferential electrical stimulation between the at least one lumbar region and the at least one abdominal region
 54. The system of claim 53, wherein the treatment period is longer than about 10 minutes.
 55. The system of claim 53, wherein the stimulation is administered for two or more treatment periods per day.
 56. The system of claim 53, wherein the treatment term is at least two weeks.
 57. The system of claim 53, further comprising a belt configured to carry the first and second pairs of electrodes.
 58. The system of claim 53, wherein the portable stimulation device is further configured to administer the TES with current provided at a carrier frequency of between about 1 kHz and about 10 kHz, with a modulated frequency from about 20 Hz to about 300 Hz. 